FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2022
Siksika Nation and Closer To Home Community Services Forge a Historic and Meaningful Partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding to benefit our Community.
(Calgary, AB – October 20, 2022) – Siksika Nation Chief and Council and Closer to Home Community Services (Closer to Home) have forged a historic and meaningful partnership for the benefit of our community. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took place, October 19, 2022, at the Siksika Calgary Office.
Siksika Nation is the second largest First Nation within Canada, with approximately 7,800+ members and many residing within the City of Calgary and other surrounding urban areas. Siksika Nation Chief and Council have joined together with Closer to Home to address three key initiatives: (1) building capacity for training and employment; (2) referring and finding affordable housing for their members within the Calgary region; and (3) providing an urban cultural space for Indigenous learning and connection.
With partnership and understanding, Siksika Nation Chief and Council wish to build capacity for meaningful careers in child and family care through Closer to Home’s extensive training services. This initiative is a collaborative effort to support the Nation’s transition under Bill C-92.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Closer to Home will also dedicate 8,500-square-feet to Indigenous teaching, cultural practices, celebrations, public education and awareness – for both program and the general public in their planned building project. Siksika Nation and Closer to Home are committed to the creation of opportunities for affordable housing for Nation members within the City of Calgary.
“We believe we have achieved something special together that will create new and positive opportunities for Siksika members, urban Indigenous people and our agency,” says Karen Olivier, Chief Executive Officer of Closer to Home. “We are excited and humbled to be partners in this journey.”
For more information, please contact:
Siksika Nation Chief and Council
Allison Duck Chief
Communications Specialist
587-227-2540
Closer to Home Community Services
Gillian MacDonald
Communications Specialist
403-862-4395gmacdonald@closertohome.com
